NEWTON, N.C. — Streaks are made to be broken. It’s inevitable.
Nevertheless, the Fred T. Foard wrestling team has taken exception to this ‘inevitability’ pushing its dual-match win streak to 65 in-a-row dating back to last season.
Coming off of a spectacular 2019-20 season, in which it was crowned the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A dual-state champions with an astounding 47-0 record, the Tigers have put its best paw forward, so to speak.
Foard’s last loss came in the 2A state duals against West Lincoln in 2019. Furthermore, with the streak on the line, the defending 2A state champion Tigers battled inside of Copas Gym against defending 3A state champion Enka on Thursday, May 27.
On paper, this had the makings of a classic. However, Foard had other plans as it mauled the Jets, 62-15.
“Well, in their defense, they had one of their better kids out with an injury, but even at that, I thought we were much more ready to compete than on Tuesday [against North Gaston] when we were very flat,” said Foard head coach Mike Carey.
In addition to the match-up, it was also the Tigers’ ‘Senior Night’ as it recognized five members which included: Landon Foor, Spencer Bechtol, Ryan Heavner, Moe McAfee and Jamie Richard. These five wrestlers officially graduated from Foard on Saturday.
“I was especially happy for senior Ryan Heavner,” said Foard head coach Mike Carey of how his seniors competed against Enka. “He is a program guy. He has been wrestling since elementary school, but hasn’t been able to get into our lineup, but stuck around, and has gotten better…now is a starter and went out and beat a good kid [on Thursday].”
Of his seniors, Heavner has gone 11-3, so far. Richard collected his 100th career win (standing at 117 currently) earlier this season while most recently Foor – a 3-time state champion – obtained his 100th career pin. Foor has accumulated an 11-0 record in 2021. He also hasn’t been pinned in his career and has only lost two bouts coming via decision his freshman season (2017-18).
In individual matches, the Tigers are currently 228-24 this season. With everything to lose, it’s hard not to think about the pressure of it all, but Carey feels that pressure is man made.
“We actually talk about stuff like that. It’s not a physical thing that you put on your back, it’s a mental thing and you get to control what you put into your mind,” he said.
As far as leadership goes for his upperclassmen, Carey said that for the most part the program has more team leadership rather than individual.
“We aren’t perfect, but we have some kids that understand what being part of a high functioning team means. It doesn’t hurt that they enjoy being around each other,” he said.
Given that Carey has been on a journey with the Foard wrestling program since 2008, winning five state titles at the helm, he said he has many emotions.
“I have a lot of emotions, but I have to do a better job of not letting a bad match or situation ruin my night in place of all the good things that happen,” he said. “When you know so many of these kids since their elementary days, and you see them take a tough loss, it’s hard for me to be in a good mood even though we might win the rest of the matches. I love to compete, and when we are “on,” it’s fun to watch.”
As far as who he feels has been some of the biggest bright spots this season, Carey said that there are a few with Dylan Smith and Richard coming to mind.
He said that Smith, a 210 pound sophomore, is wrestling way above his weight class at 285 in 2021. He wasn’t a full-time starter last year and is currently unbeaten (beating former state placers and qualifiers).
“He loves to wrestle, and you can see him getting better weekly,” he said. “Jamie Richard is another. He is also unbeaten wrestling 138 and 145. He’s a great kid, top 10 in his graduating class, and just does everything right.”
The Tigers can now see the light at the end of the tunnel as it gears toward its home finale on Tuesday in Northwestern Foothills 2A Conference action against East Burke and Hibriten at 5:30 p.m..
Following this, it will be Foard’s regular-season finale against Bessemer City and Union Academy on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
In terms of this final week of the regular season before the state tournament, Carey said that he has told his guys not to think about wrestling or competing too much except when they come to practice or on match day. He tells them to relax and enjoy being a kid, but that when they come into the practice room, it’s time to go to work and get better.
